Unai Emery hands tied over Leon Bailey decision at HT in Aston Villa v Fulham, he’s been invisible
Unai Emery must hook Leon Bailey if Aston Villa are to have any chance of claiming a positive result against Fulham on Saturday (19 October).
Raul Jiminez opened the scoring after just five minutes, which was quickly cancelled out by Morgan Rogers four minutes later, but have Emi Martinez to thank for not going behind again.
The Argentine was once again the hero for Villa, stepping up to save Andreas Pereira’s penalty, but Emery will be far from pleased with his side’s performance.
With Jaden Philogene, in-form Jhon Duran, Emi Buendia and John McGinn all waiting on the bench, the Spaniard has no choice but to drop his Jamaican winger during the half-time break.
Unai Emery to hook Leon Bailey in Aston Villa v Fulham
Despite notching 10 goals and nine assists in the Premier League last season, the 27-year-old winger has yet to hit the ground running this term, with only one assist in the league so far.
The trip to Craven Cottage has been no different, with the player even picking up an early yellow card and struggling to make any mark on the game.
While he has made one chance against Fulham, he touched the ball 25 times, attempting nine passes and delivering zero per cent of his attempted crosses [FotMob].
Bailey has also only won 20 per cent of his ground duels, being dispossessed on four occasions already, which Emery will be rather unhappy with at half-time.
Given that he ranks in the top 99 percentile for non-penalty goals and assists, and also the top 89 percentile for shot-creating actions [FBref], he has the potential to change a game.
However, with the number of attacking talents waiting on the bench, Bailey has been unable to prove himself at Craven Cottage, and Emery must act quickly.
In other Aston Villa news, one academy ace has decided on a £10,000-a-week+ five-year contract as the mystery rumbles on at Villa Park.
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